The Top 10 Wedding Hotels and Venues in Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers breathtaking settings for an unforgettable wedding. From pristine beaches and lush rainforests to elegant boutique resorts, each location provides a unique backdrop for your special day.
Why Say 'I Do' in Costa Rica? Costa Rica Is a Top Wedding Destination
Costa Rica, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, offers more than just stunning beaches. It's also a versatile wedding destination with a variety of locales to suit any couple's style: lush rainforests, hidden waterfalls, and iconic volcanoes provide the perfect backdrop for any couple's nuptials. And it doesn’t stop there. For those dreaming of a luxurious wedding, the Papagayo Peninsula provides exclusive resorts and panoramic views of the Gulf of Papagayo. The cloud forests of Monteverde offer a mystical setting for those seeking an intimate exchange of vows.
Whether large or boutique, adventurous or romantic, Costa Rica can give you the wedding you both always wanted. Get ready to start your journey as a couple in the best locations the country has to offer!
Tying the Knot in the Tropics: Travel Trends for 2024
Whether you dream of a seaside ceremony or a mountain retreat, the country is filled with romantic spots perfect for saying “I do.”
Green Destination Wedding: Eco-Friendly Resorts
Sustainability has been a growing concern in recent years, and more couples are choosing to minimize the environmental impact of their weddings. This includes selecting venues that have good sustainability practices, using local and organic food for catering, and opting for decorations that can be reused or are biodegradable.
Wellness Weddings
Health and wellness are becoming part of wedding itineraries, especially in tropical destinations known for their vacation retreats, like Costa Rica. Activities such as group yoga sessions, spa days, and wellness workshops are being integrated into the wedding schedule so your guests can have a great party and feel relaxed and rejuvenated afterwards.
Adventure-Based Weddings
Couples are increasingly incorporating adventure into their weddings, such as underwater ceremonies for diving enthusiasts, mountaintop weddings for hikers, or jungle safaris. Queue in Costa Rica's adventure capital—La Fortuna! These activities not only make the event memorable but also reflect the couple's shared interests and passions.
A Local Touch
Incorporating the local culture is a significant trend. Couples are looking to reflect the traditions of the destination in their ceremony and reception, including local cuisine, music, and customs. This not only improves the experience but also pays respect to the surrounding community.
Week-Long Wedding Festivities
Instead of a single-day event, many couples are extending their celebrations to create a well-rounded experience for their guests. This can include pre-wedding activities like welcome parties, local tours, and group excursions, followed by the wedding ceremony and reception, and concluding with a post-wedding brunch. These extended celebrations turn the wedding into a vacation for the guests and allow more time to explore the destination.
Small and Intimate
While some opt for extended festivities, there is also a trend towards smaller, more intimate weddings. Couples are inviting only their closest friends and family to create a more meaningful and personalized experience. This often allows for more luxurious choices, as the budget can accommodate a higher per-guest spend in the most luscious locations of your choice.
Bold Colors for Proclaiming Your Love
While soft pastel colors have long been associated with beach weddings, couples have been opting for bold and vibrant color palettes. Think deep blues, coral pinks, and lush greens, creating a visually stunning contrast against the beach’s natural beauty.
Choosing Your Perfect Costa Rican Wedding Venue
All-inclusive resorts are highly recommended for weddings, as you won't have to worry about meals and drinks for you or your guests. However, if you are looking to do something more intimate, then a smaller boutique-style property could also work fine for you (daily breakfast included). It really depends on the experience you’re looking for and what reflects most you and your partner’s style.
Where to Get Married in Costa Rica?
From the laid-back vibes of Tamarindo beach, perfect for a sunset beach ceremony, to the secluded splendor of the Osa Peninsula, where the rainforest meets the ocean, Costa Rica offers a variety of options to fit your style and budget. There are so many options we've included not just our top 10, but also a bonus location. Here are our picks!
Wedding Venues in Guanacaste
The Westin Playa Conchal Resort
Location: Conchal Beach, 50 minutes from the Guanacaste International Airport.
Venue Type: Beachfront bliss.
Style: All-Inclusive barefoot luxury.
Capacity: 100 guests or more. The resort itself has +400 rooms and features one of the largest swimming pools in Central America. There is an adult-only section of the resort as well, for couples considering a more intimate gathering but still want to have all the perks an all-inclusive resort can provide.
Accessibility: Easy. The hotel is beachfront, and the wedding ceremony is usually set on the beach close to the hotel. Although the resort spans a large area, golf carts are available to facilitate easier movement for guests with mobility challenges.
Unique Features: All-inclusive, beachfront, both adults-only and family-friendly areas, ten on-site restaurants.
Rates: $$$$$. Wedding packages start at $10,000 for 20-50 guests.
Seasonal Considerations: Great wedding location year-round. Blackout dates range from December 20th to January 2nd.
Please note: Blackout dates indicate that the resort doesn’t book any large events during this time of the year.
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
Location: Pinilla Beach, 60 minutes from the Guanacaste International Airport.
Venue Type: Beachfront bliss.
Style: Barefoot luxury.
Capacity: 100 guests or more. With +300 rooms, JW Marriott is another option for a large wedding guest list, offering multiple dining options and event venues.
Accessibility: Easy. The hotel is beachfront and the wedding ceremony is usually set on the beach just steps away from the hotel perimeter.
Unique Features: Beachfront property and upscale brand.
Rates: $$$$$. Wedding packages start at $10,000 for 20-50 guests.
Seasonal Considerations: Great wedding location year-round. Blackout dates range from December 20th to January 2nd.
Tamarindo Diria
Location: Tamarindo Beach, 60 minutes from Guanacaste International Airport.
Venue Type: Beachfront bliss.
Style: Tropical beach.
Capacity: 100 guests or more. Tamarindo Diria Resort features 240 rooms in four different categories, perfect for a wedding with many guests.
Accessibility: Easy. The hotel is beachfront and the wedding ceremony is usually set on the beach just steps away from the hotel.
Unique Features: Beachfront, within walking distance of restaurants and bars. Diria is right in the heart of the Tamarindo town, which is known for its party scene.
Rates: $$$. Wedding packages start at $5,000 for 10-20 guests.
Seasonal Considerations: Tamarindo is a great wedding location year-round. Blackout dates range from December 20th to January 2nd.
Jardin del Eden
Location: Tamarindo, 60 minutes from Guanacaste International Airport.
Venue Type: Adults-only beach destination.
Style: Tropical beach.
Capacity: Perfect for intimate gatherings and ideal for small to medium groups, around 20 to 50 guests.
Accessibility: Easy to Moderate. You can plan and celebrate your wedding either in the hotel or at their sister property, the Tamarindo Diria, which is a short distance away. For this, you still need to go through the town.
Unique Features: Adults-only, meal package offered, within walking distance of restaurants and bars.
Rates: $$$. Wedding packages start at $5,000 for 10-20 guests.
Seasonal Considerations: Great wedding location year-round. Blackout dates range from December 20th to January 2nd.
Wedding Venues on the Central Pacific Coast
Hotel Villa Caletas
Location: Central Pacific, 60 minutes from San Jose International Airport.
Venue Type: Oceanview sunset extravaganza.
Style: Luxury eco-resort, stunning sunset views meets Ancient Greek opulence.
Capacity: Perfect for intimate gatherings of around 40 to 50 guests.
Accessibility: Moderate to difficult. Because of its mountainous setting, walking up and down steep ramps and many stairs is not for the faint of heart or legs. They do have a few rooms near the registration area you may want to consider for guests with mobility issues or families with small children.
Unique Features: A Greek-style amphitheater and infinity pool to watch the sunset from, a nearby beach, eco-friendly and nature-focused policies. Feel like a private guest at a palace—there are stunning antiques and works of art accessible everywhere around you, and some gorgeous landscaping. Compared to nearby Jacó, this is incredibly upscale, elegant, and very private.
Rates: $$$$. Wedding packages start at $7,500.
Seasonal Considerations: December to April is the dry season, offering the most stable and predictable weather, ideal for weddings. May to August are also favorable months for hosting an event, though the weather can be slightly more variable. Finally, steer clear of the rainy season from September to mid-November, as conditions are not great for outdoor activities.
Si Como No Resort
Location: Manuel Antonio, a three-hour drive from San José.
Venue Type: Beach and jungle romance.
Style: Sunset over the Pacific at an eco-friendly resort.
Capacity: Perfect for intimate gatherings of small to medium-sized groups, around 20 to 50 guests.
Accessibility: Easy to Moderate. The hotel is set on the ridge, above jungle-covered hills and has many steps and inclined pathways that are not ideal for guests with mobility issues. Make sure to get street-level rooms for them.
Unique Features: Good for wildlife enthusiasts, nearby beach, eco-friendly and nature-focused. Spectacular panoramic rainforest jungle and ocean views!
Rates: $$$. Wedding packages start at $5,000, and there are eloping options available.
Seasonal Considerations: December through April is the dry season, giving you the best shot at clear skies and sunny days for your wedding. May through August can also work well, though the weather is a bit more hit-or-miss. It's best to avoid the rainy season altogether, from September to mid-November.
Los Altos Beach Resort
Location: Manuel Antonio, a three-hour drive from SJO International Airport.
Venue Type: Modern luxury over rainforest and beach.
Style: Breathtaking sunset by the sea.
Capacity: Perfect for intimate gatherings, around 40-50 guests.
Accessibility: Moderate. Los Altos is set on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It’s a large property, which is only partly developed. The rest is a rainforest, with the hotel's private trails. Several are listed as challenging due to elevation changes. The hills and stairs might pose an issue for guests with mobility difficulties. The reception staff provides excellent shuttle service for access to all areas of the resort (restaurant, pool, yoga platform, private beach).
Unique Features: Rainforest, nearby beach, eco-friendly and nature-focused. The suites are very modern, clean, and spacious with fantastic views.
Rates: $$$$. Customized wedding packages are prized according to the group size.
Seasonal Considerations: December through April is the dry season, with the most stable weather, and perfect conditions for any outdoor event. May through August are also great months, although the weather pattern is a bit less stable than in the dry season. Avoid planning during the rainiest part of the rainy season, which is from September through mid-November.
Wedding Venues in Arenal Volcano Area
The Springs Resort & Spa
Location: La Fortuna, a three-hour drive from either the San José or Guanacaste International Airports. It’s also a 20-minute drive to La Fortuna downtown.
Venue Type: Luxury resort elegance.
Style: Bask in the lap of luxury by the stunning volcano.
Capacity: Perfect for 100-150 guests.
Accessibility: Moderate. One of the things that makes the views at the Springs Resort spectacular is being on a hillside facing the volcano. The downside of that is that you may have to walk up five floors to breakfast, and three to the pool. You can wait for a golf cart, and there’s an elevator. However, the amount of stairs, narrow paths, and low lighting can be a problem for guests with limited mobility. Note that the resort is a little outside of La Fortuna, with a bumpy ride at the end.
Unique Features: Hot springs pools in the rainforest, volcano views, premium spa, and wildlife refuge on site. The property and rooms are stunning and there are amazing views in every direction. Even when the hotel is full, nothing feels crowded. The resort also has swimming pools, five restaurants, an on-site river, and adventure activities such as a rock climbing wall, horseback riding, and river floats.
Rates: $$$$$. Wedding packages start at $10,000.
Seasonal Considerations: Arenal Volcano is a great year-round destination for weddings. Note that this area follows Caribbean weather patterns, which means it generally experiences more rainfall than other regions in the country. Resort blackout dates are December 20th to January 2nd, due to the holiday season.
Amor Arenal
Location: La Fortuna, a three-hour drive from either the San José or Guanacaste International Airports.
Venue Type: Volcano and rainforest romance.
Style: Romantic and intimate.
Capacity: Perfect for intimate gatherings of 40 to 50 guests.
Accessibility: Moderate. The resort is set on a steep incline, with +30 bungalows following the main road to the restaurant and pool area. Being at the bottom of the hill you will get a good workout, but make sure to book any guests with mobility issues closer to the restaurants. An open-air pagoda, where wedding ceremonies are held, is a short walk from the restaurant. Golf carts are at guests disposal.
Unique Features: Boutique style, luxury bungalows, personalized service
Rates: $$$$. Wedding packages start at $ 7,000.
Seasonal Considerations: Arenal Volcano is a great year-round destination for weddings. Remember it generally experiences more rainfall than other regions in the country. Resort blackout dates are December 20th to January 2nd.
Cloud Forest Weddings, Central Cordillera Mountains
El Silencio Lodge
Location: Bajos del Toro Amarillo, Poas Volcano area. It’s an hour's drive from San Jose International Airport.
Venue Type: Cloud forest elegance.
Style: Luxurious and eco-friendly wellness romance.
Capacity: Perfect for intimate gatherings of 20 to 30 guests.
Accessibility: Moderate to difficult. Accommodation is in chalet-style lodges (16 suites and eight villas total), set on the mountainside. The walk up to them is steep. For guests that have mobility issues, ask for a cabin that is low down, or let them drive them everywhere in golf carts. The walkways are hilly and it is quite dark at night. If you drive yourself, do it during the day. The roads are challenging.
Unique Features: Cloud forest, eco-friendly, nature-focused, with an outstanding premium spa on-site. There are also stunning waterfall photo ops in the vicinity. El Silencio Lodge is a distinguished member of Relais & Châteaux, set on a 500-acre nature reserve, cascading down the slopes of Poas Volcano.
Rates: $$$$. Wedding packages start at $7,500.
Seasonal Considerations: Bajos del Toro is a great year-round destination for weddings. Make sure to check with the lodge for specific blackout dates. Note that the weather is cold and changeable, so trousers, sweaters, and jackets are more appropriate for this climate. Avoid rainy months from September to mid-November.
Villa Blanca
Location: San Ramón, 90 minutes from San José International Airport.
Venue Type: Tradition and charm in the cloud forest.
Style: Traditional Costa Rican casita—a bungalow-style rustic resort with its own chapel.
Capacity: Perfect for elopements or intimate gatherings of 20 to 30 guests.
Accessibility: Easy. Villa Blanca features 35 traditional casitas in a property that is mostly flat, with small inclines on pathways. It’s easily navigable, even for guests with mobility issues. The wedding chapel is a five to ten-minute walk from any part of the property.
Unique Features: Small casita-style rooms, cloud forest, walking trails with hummingbird garden, small church on site.
Rates: $$$. Wedding package starting at $5,000.
Seasonal Considerations: Year-round. Note that the weather is cold and changeable, so take the necessary precautions. Avoid rainy months from September to mid-November.
Details to Consider for Your Dream Wedding
When planning your dream wedding in Costa Rica, there are several key aspects to consider that go beyond just picking a venue and setting a date. First, understand the legal requirements of a wedding outside your home country. Non-residents need to provide valid passports, birth certificates, and a sworn statement indicating marital status. These documents may need to be translated into Spanish and authenticated by the Costa Rican consulate in your home country.
Choosing local vendors is another essential step. Costa Rica has a great pool of talented professionals, from photographers and florists to caterers and decorators. Opting for local vendors not only supports the local economy but also saves on logistics and shipping costs. It's beneficial to work with a local wedding planner who can provide insight into the best local suppliers and help get through any language or cultural barriers.
Incorporating cultural elements can also enrich your wedding experience. Consider including traditional Costa Rican foods in your menu, or perhaps enjoying a local marimba band during your reception.
Tips and Tricks on Planning Your Costa Rican Wedding
Start your wedding plans by selecting the right vendors. Prioritize those with good reviews and solid portfolios that align with your vision. It's advisable to visit Costa Rica at least once before the wedding to meet potential vendors and inspect venues personally. This trip can be crucial for making informed decisions and building a rapport with local suppliers.
Managing guest accommodations is another vital aspect. Choose a venue that offers, or is near lodging options that cater to a range of budgets. You want all your guests to have somewhere comfortable to stay, that's also within their budget. Provide your guests with a detailed itinerary and a list of accommodations along with transportation options.
Lastly, have a clear plan for the wedding day. This includes having a detailed schedule that all vendors and participants can follow. Come up with contingency plans for weather-related issues, especially if you're planning an outdoor ceremony during the rainy season. Have a local point of contact or coordinator who can handle any last-minute issues that arise.
Comparing Costa Rica’s Wedding Venues
Check this chart to get a sense of how the venues compare with what you want. This is how you choose what your best destination will be.
| Venue | Location | Accessibility | Starting At | Guest Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westin Resort | Beachfront | Easy | $10,000 | +100 |
| JW Marriott Resort | Beachfront | Easy | $10,000 | +100 |
| Tamarindo Diria | Beachfront | Easy | $5,000 | +100 |
| Jardin del Eden | Beach | Close to venues | $5,000 | 20-50 |
| Hotel Villa Caletas | Ocean Front | Steep terrain | $7,500 | 40-50 |
| Si Como No Resort | Ocean Front | Inclined pathways | $5,000 | 20-50 |
| Los Altos Beach Resort | Ocean Front | Hillside setting | N/A | 40-50 |
| The Springs Resort | Volcano | Hillside setting | $10,000 | 100-150 |
| Amor Arenal | Volcano | Hillside setting | $7,000 | 40-50 |
| El Silencio Lodge | Cloud Forest | Steep incline | $7,500 | 20-30 |
| Villa Blanca | Cloud Forest | Mostly flat | $5,000 | 20-30 |
Ready to Start Planning Your Forever Journey in Costa Rica
Are you ready to plan your wedding in Costa Rica? Let us help. With expert inside knowledge, we’ll gladly put together a destination wedding for you and your partner. Tying the knot in the tropics is not just a romantic gesture and a great way to find the perfect backdrop for your photos: it’s a way to create memories that will last a lifetime along with those you love and appreciate most. Seize the opportunity, Costa Rica awaits!
About the Author
Marco Madrigal
Senior Travel Consultant
Marco has extensive experience in the tourism industry and Costa Rica. He'll be happy to assist you.
